The first national festival of Dao ethnic culture will take place in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang on September 29^th and 30^th.

A ritual of Dao ethnic group in Tuyen Quang. (Photo: tuyenquang.gov.vn)

The event aims to preserve and uphold the cultural values of Dao ethnic group.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Dao ethnic communities from 12 provinces and cities will gather at the event.

The festival will include a wide range of activities, including Dao ethnic people traditional music, costumes and ritual ceremonies, food, and sports, with photo exhibitions on their culture and culinary and seminars also.

Preparations for the festival are underway with a troupe of some 200 Dao artisans and people.

One of 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups, the Dao community has an estimated population of 750,000. They whose culture boasts unique customs, rituals and arts, mostly reside in northern mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai.

Their main livelihood is farming in rocky areas, weaving, and silver craft making.

Tuyen Quang is the only province in Vietnam home to all nine Dao subgroups, namely Dao Do, Dao Tien, Dao Cooc Mun, Dao Quan Chet, Dao O Gang, Dao Cooc Ngang, Dao Quan Trang, Dao Thanh Y, and Dao Ao Dai./.

VNF/VNA